Sugar Free or Fat Free to Lose Weight?

A "Free" Food Nation

Sugar and fat free foods aren’t as sweet as they might seem.

There is a popular saying about a particular curly haired little girl. It is said that this child was of a naturally even and good natured temperament with no more childishness than could be expected. That is unless something was amiss then this curly haired cherub was horrid. Why the lesson in folk sayings; because it is particularly apt to subject at hand of fat and sugar free foods and the dieters dinner plate.

What is Amiss?

At first glance the idea of a sugar free and fat free food would seem to equate a guilt free indulgence. This is an especially accurate assumption since the vast majority of sugar or fat free foods are found in the formerly sinful foods. It is as if the makers of such sinless delights targeted the no-no list of dieters everywhere.

So what’s the big deal? There are several reasons why the ‘free’ food revolution is a flop rather than a success. Some foods are not diet friendly, no matter who makes them or how their made. A truly successful diet, or rather life-style, involves a certain amount to self-control and self-denial. That is not a bad thing.

Horrid Scenario #1

The first and possibly most dangerous side effect of free foods is the chemicals used to achieve the absence of sugars and fats. One of the most common sugar substitutes is aspartame. There are over 90 ill effects to health caused by aspartame on file with the FDA.

Horrid Scenario #2

Everyone knows that fats and sugars are not the best substances for the body. Foods made sinless by their removal may seem like a dream come true, until that is consumption levels double and triple because self control and discipline take a walk when the words fat free come into view.

Calories are still calories no matter how sugarless the source. Medical studies have found that these ‘sinless’ foods actually accelerate weight gain. There is a marked tendency to over eat, rationalizing away the calories because they are free, right?

Horrid Scenario #3

Nutritionally poor foods like cakes, chips, cookies and candies are usually the ones touting their fat and sugar free banners. As the eating of such foods increases consumption of other nutrient rich foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, decreases.

The bottom line is that to have a really balanced diet it needs to include all the food groups including fats, sugars and leafy greens in their proper proportions. The closer a food is to its source, the less you have to worry about what harm it will do to your body (and your waist).

Main Dishes and More

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